The difference between GRIMM and ONCE UPON A TIME:

The one that was created by ex-BUFFY personnel is the one about a hero who discovers they're the latest in a long line of monster-killers and has to take on the role relatively unprepared, but with the help of an aged mentor and a quirky helper.



And the one created by ex-LOST personnel is the one where everyone's stuck in a location that's pleasant on the surface, only there's a complex mystery going on they have to unravel and lots of flashbacks to their earlier lives before they got stuck in this place.



As for tone, the one created by the Buffyistas feels like BUFFY and ANGEL but at least so far, thinner, and the one created by the Lostians feels like LOST but at least so far, much thinner.

We're following both, here at Casa Busiek, to see what they develop into. They're both watchable, though I'm used to Jennifer Morrison from HOUSE, so I keep wanting her to have snappier, faster-paced, smarter dialogue. Or at least be quicker on the uptake.

[On the great FABLES question: I can readily believe that GRIMM isn't terribly influenced by FABLES, since there aren't that many similarities and there's been a spate of fairy-tale movies that could certainly have gotten the genre some notice. ONCE UPON A TIME has more similarities, though, and in the pilot, the fairy tale characters are referred to as "fables" once, which is odd because, well, they're not. Hard to believe they didn't pick that (and other things) up from Willingham.]

As I've noted before, I try to avoid e-mails that fall into the category of "Can you answer these questions for my school report." I'm not in school any more, and despite that, I seem to have plenty of my own homework to do.

But every now and then, someone finds a way around me on this. Julio, here, tells me:

Hello my name is Julio. I'm a high school student. We have an assignment on interviewing a comic writer. I chose you because you're very talented and we are reading your comic MARVELS. It's very good. by the way.

They're actually reading MARVELS? For class? Well, okay, I guess since I haven't done this in a year and a half, I can do another one. But I'm answering here on the blog, so anyone else who's interested can read it.

On to the questions:

1. What is the work that you are planning on or that you are working on?

At the moment, what I'm working on is ASTRO CITY, the series I do with Brent Anderson and Alex Ross, and KIRBY: GENESIS, which I'm doing with Jackson Herbert and (again) Alex Ross. On top of those two, I also have a series called BATMAN: CREATURE OF THE NIGHT to write, a novel featuring ARROWSMITH, a character I co-created with Carlos Pacheco, and a new series called THE WITCHLANDS.

2. What was your first work?

My first professional comics work was a 7-page "Tales of the Green Lantern Corps" story that appeared in GREEN LANTERN #162, back in 1982. That same day, POWER MAN & IRON FIST #90, which I also wrote, came out as well, but I didn't actually write that story until about a month after the Green Lantern story, so I count GREEN LANTERN #162 as my first.

3. What was your proudest moment?

In comics? It was probably when the first reviews and reader reactions started coming in for ASTRO CITY #1. Alex Ross and I had won a lot of awards and gotten great reaction for MARVELS, but getting that same kind of response to something that I'd created from scratch (with the help of Brent, Alex and others, but not any pre-existing characters or publisher's universe) was a real thrill, and really made us feel like we'd accomplished something worthwhile.

4. What is the most challenging aspect of working in comics?

For me, it's the deadlines. Comics are usually monthly, so if you're writing a series, you need to write a new issue every month, month after month, for as long as it lasts. If you're writing more than one series, that just means more deadlines. It can be exhausting—writing one good script is a lot of work, but doing it time after time after time requires a lot of stamina.

I used to be able to write a script a week, but the longer I do this, the harder it gets to maintain that kind of speed.

5. What is the most rewarding aspect of working in comics?

It's hard to say which is better: Getting to collaborate with talented artists, letterers, colorists and editors, so you're all working together to make a comics story that's the best it can be—or get to reach a large audience of readers, who want you to tell them a story in the first place. The idea that an audience is out there that wants to read what I write is what keeps me doing it, both because telling stories to people is why I write in the first place, and because it's the fact that those readers buy the comics that allows me to keep writing them.

6. What does it feel on having an amazing gift such as writing?

It doesn't feel like a "gift," it feels like a skill. Something I learned by practicing it and getting better at it over time, just like someone who practices piano, or practices at playing baseball, will get better and better. It can be a lot of work, but it's worth the effort.

7. How was it like working with Ross on MARVELS?

Alex is one of the most thoughtful and dedicated artists I've ever worked with. Doing MARVELS with him was a lot of fun, because we both put a lot of thought into how best to tell the story, and we each had a lot of input into what the other guy did. He had suggestions and ideas on the story, and I had suggestions and ideas on the art. We'd go back and forth, talking over even the smallest details—sometimes we'd be on the phone for hours, talking about stuff that most readers would never notice. But even if a reader doesn't consciously notice it, it made the story better, and helped us make the stuff the readers did notice all the more real and effective.

I still work with Alex, on ASTRO CITY covers, and on the KIRBY: GENESIS series, and it's still a rewarding and enjoyable experience, because of the attention and thought Alex puts into what he does.

8. Do you have new ideas?

Tons of them. I have more ideas than I could use up in a lifetime—and I come up with new ones all the time!

The better you get at writing, the more easily ideas come, I think. It's one of the best parts of the job, coming up with new things, new stories and new ways to tell them.

* *

Hope that helps!

Here's an e-mail I figured I'd deal with separately, so it doesn't get lost amid the others.

Eric Sellers asks...

Did the forums linked at your website and the Astro City homepage get deleted or moved? I tried accessing them from your website but it said it didn't exist and then the Astro City homepage link wouldn't connect with anything.

Yeah, they don't exist any more.

I'm not 100% sure what happened—it was while I was dealing with some pretty severe fatigue issues, so I wasn't listening as well as I might when it was explained to me. But I think it had something to do with the forums generating exponentially-growing spam attacks or something, meaning it was taking up more and more server time, and eventually it got too much to handle, and the guys at Comicraft didn't have the resources to keep running them.

The forum was never quite what I wanted it to be, in any case. There was always a spam problem, so anyone who wanted to register for the boards had to be manually approved by the webmaster, which I think prevented people from signing up and joining in.

What I'm planning to do is, sometime between now and when we're ready for ASTRO CITY to start coming out again, I'm going to line up another message board for discussions. For now, those "Comment on this in our forum" links are probably still going to hang around, even though they don't lead anywhere, so that when we have a new forum, we can just slot that in and have the links direct there.

In the meantime, if you're looking to respond to something, or want to keep up on whatever I'm babbling about at the moment, the best places to find me are:

• on Twitter, where I'm @KurtBusiek

• on Facebook, at The Official Kurt Busiek Page

Since spouting off on Twitter or Facebook is easier than writing a blog entry, even, I'm a lot more active there than here. I hope to change that, in time, but for now, theyr'e good places to find me and/or keep up on what's new.

* *

Also, in case anyone's wondering why they signed up for the newsletter and haven't gotten any, the answer is simple:

There isn't any newsletter.

Again, there should be one someday,so when this site was being put together, Design Wizard John Roshell put in a sign-up option, and I've been dutifully saving e-mail addresses for that happy day when I'll have a newsletter to send. For now, though, all that exists of it is that list of e-mail addresses.

So don't let that stop you from signing up for it, but don't be surprised if you don't get anything for a while.

* *

And that's the story of all the stuff that doesn't exist around here!

Hey, folks. I've been under the weather for much of the last six months, and trying vainly to keep up with deadlines, so there hasn't been much time/energy left over to blog. But I've built up a bunch of e-mails to answer, so let me take advantage of a quiet Sunday afternoon to deal with some of them.

Starting off, from JAMES:

Since you ended up revealing that Kang may never become Immortus in AVENGERS FOREVER, do you have any personal theories about the true identity of each character might be?

Did you intend to leave things open to the possibility that Tony Stark would become Kang? There’s certainly a precedent as outlined in my theory on Kang's origin here:

...Kang's origin?

Or Vance Astro being Rama-Tut given both were living in the same time period of 3,000 and both retained docu-chips of the Heroic Age?

I’m not sure if you’ve written any clues since due to having lost my sight in the interim:( but would love to know your thoughts:)

To be honest, James, I didn't think there was any mystery as to who Kang really is—even when Stan was floating the idea that Kang and Dr. Doom could be the same person, it didn't make much sense. Kang, at least as I write him, is just what we saw when his history was first explained: A guy living in a future so well-run that there's no adventure any more, so he creates a time machine and goes off in search of it, becoming the greatest conqueror the universe has ever known.

From RICK:

Since you were a friend of McDuffie's and the Milestone crew, I just wanted to ask, what's DC going to do with Static?

This character and his book already had problems before it was even published:

Diversity in the DCU

Rozum leaving has added even more problems (also, there's some good discussions in that thread that apply to why an excellent book like XOMBI failed).

I'm not sure Robert L. Washington III is a big enough name to keep the book from sinking. I'm a fan of RLW, but can't you push for Geoff Johns or Morrison to write it? Maybe you could suggest that to DC?

DC usually has a habit of killing characters off (especially in big events) when their solo series crash and burn. And if Static manages to escape that sort of fate, it's still more than likely the character will never receive another book again if this one tanks this badly.

Sorry, Rick, but being a friend of Dwayne's doesn't give me any inside information of DC's plans, or any influence over them. I have no idea what their plans for STATIC are, nor can I push them to put the already-hugely-busy Geoff Johns or Grant Morrison onto the book. If Geoff or Grant wanted to write it and had the time, they'd probably have been writing it right from the start, and if they don't, me suggesting it isn't going to make them change their minds or open up their schedule.

From PERRY:

Kurt, I'm desperate for some good news about the return of ASTRO CITY. I keep checking your site periodically (no pun intended), but of course you haven't posted there since April. I know you got caught in the demise of Wildstorm, and then probably further delayed because of all the attention focused on the big relaunch this month--but please tell me that DC isn't stupid enough to let it languish indefinitely!

What would really make my day is if you told me you and Brent have worked so far ahead during this interregnum that A.C. will publish weekly for a while when it finally does come out. But I know I shouldn't be greedy... ;-)

Am also wondering about that "American Gothic" kind of book you announced...any plans for that to see the light of day, or is it a dead letter now?

Taking it in order:

This is getting a little long, so click on the link below, for more...

Will you ever do any more ARROWSMITH comics? I really enjoyed the mini.

Thank you for all the great comics you've written, from ASTRO CITY, AVENGERS and POWER COMPANY to THUNDERBOLTS!

Carlos Pacheco and I were just talking about more ARROWSMITH the other day, Richard. And yes, we have plans for more.

From MIKE:

I miss The Power Company. There's so much that could be done with it.

Very glad you liked it, sir. Maybe DC'll bring it back, at some point.

From ADAM:

I was looking over the DC Comics "New 52" solicitations I picked up at the LCBS on my weekly comic book run and I noticed you are not listed on any of the creative teams—is this an oversight on my part? I really enjoy your writing and would be disappointed to not see your talents anywhere in the DC universe.

As you can tell if you've read this far, Adam, I'm plenty booked up with work, and most of it's for DC. It simply isn't stuff that's set in the DCU (even BATMAN: CREATURE OF THE NIGHT, which features a DC character, is a non-DCU story, just as SUPERMAN: SECRET IDENTITY was).

From DAVE:

I really enjoyed SUPERSTAR! Keep up the good work.

Thanks! Will do.

From DAN:

I have always thought that Liz was secretly in love with Peter Parker. With BND and OMIT behind us, Would you have been open to the idea for Peter to have a mutual relationship with the girl who never had the chance to date him? Wouldn't be interesting to see Peter date a woman who is a single parent, which has never happened before in his life. This would be is a challenge that I want to see happen in a possible Liz Allen/Peter Parker relationship. It would be the first time that he would enter into uncharted territory with a woman who is a parent. It might help Peter Parker a great deal with establishing a bond of friendship with her son, Normie.

I can't really say I ever thought Liz and Peter would make a great couple, but it's not up to me, so who knows? Marvel could certainly do it, if they like.

From ELAINE:

I am a huge fan of your writing. I enjoy your KIRBY: GENESIS and of course, ASTRO CITY. I especially like Winged Victory (very few great strong women in a decent relationship) and Samaritan. Any more stories about them?

As the cover I posted above would suggest, Elaine, you bet!

From SHANNON:

Thanks for "Lost Boy," in SUPERMAN 712. I did not want to post a spoiler on your Facebook fan page, but I wanted to tell you that you captured Krypto's confusion and grief perfectly. I grieved with him as he realized what happened to Conner.

You have now written two of my all-time favorite stories ("The Nearness of You" from ASTRO CITY 1/2 is the other).

Very glad you liked it, Shannon. I'm glad the story finally made it into print!

From BILL:

Just a quick note to say that one of my customers at HEROES & HITTERS in Rocky Hill bought a copy of KIRBY: GENESIS #0 and said "I'll buy anything Busiek is involved with."

I heartily approve of this decision!

From YACINE:

First off, I’d like to thank you for your essay "Breaking In Without Rules" that I first read in WRITE NOW #13. I was just fresh off film school when I read it in 2006 and I can tell you your advices proved to be highly inspirational. I’m now a produced young writer (a short film broadcast several times on national television; two documentaries that I co-wrote & co-directed) and, even if a sustainable career is not promised to me yet, I just wanted you to know that your article helped me in many ways. And it continues do to so each time I re-read it! (By the way, I posted the link to it on my blog, Underscore.

Now, The real subject of my e-mail. In a long interview published by THE COMICS JOURNAL, you mentioned an UNTOLD TALES OF SPIDER-MAN special written with Roger Stern, that you used to “correct” some editorial goof in the first AMAZING SPIDER-MAN annual. As a big fan of Stan Lee & Steve Ditko’s run, I’d like to know: what editorial goof were you referring to? I re-read the first Spider-Man annual several times and never found anything.

Thank you for your answer and keep up the good work!

It's a very minor bit, really, so keep in mind that I didn't write the story to "correct" that bit; we just threw it in as a minor element that eagle-eyed readers could pick up on, if they caught it, but not something that'd disturb the reading of anyone who didn't catch it.

From EDDIE:

Whenever THUNDERBOLTS comes out on new comic Wednesday I get a giddy feeling and this time I had to go back and look over the old issues. There is something great about the whole idea of it all. Characters struggling with their identity and place in the world, their urges and presumed urges... It all fits so well into a superhero comic.

Just had to write you and thank you and ask: are the Thunderbolts where you would want them to be now? and most importantly, if you were writing it, would you bring back Zemo? I am about to adopt my second hairless cat and we are planning on naming him Zemo after him, oddly enough (key word oddly).

Thanks, really - thanks.

I'll confess, Eddie, the last issue of THUNDERBOLTS I've read was written by Fabian, so I'm not sure what they're doing now. As I've mentioned before, I find it hard to read a series I wrote for a long time, because it's hard to step out of the role of "creator" and step back into the audience. I don't read the book like a normal reader, but like a writer, thinking, "Well, that's not what I would have done." And that's not a fair reaction—and moreover, it's a good thing that other writers don't do what I would have done, or no one would need to hire me, would they?

From CHRIS:

I'm not sure if this has been asked/answered before, but any plans to collect ASTRO CITY in hardcover deluxe versions a la the DC Absolute line?

Not at the moment, Chris. We're doing new editions of the existing books in hardcovers and trade paperback in newly-designed uniform editions, though. And once we've done those, who knows?

From a reader I won't name:

Delroy Garrett, Jr. is a fictional superhero published by Marvel Comics. He is the second character to use the name 3-D Man.

I know this sounds surreal, but I just want to say that I have the potential to play that character very well, because I am capable of competing in the Olympics and I will have bright future in acting. I have so much potential in athletics and acting I will put my heart and soul in to it. Hopefully when do achieve that, then can we talk more I've also got quite abnormal background.

I'm glad you like Delroy enough to want to play him on film, sir. But there's no point in talking to me further about it. I don't own the character or have any control over what gets done with him, in films or in the comics. He's owned by Marvel, and they're in complete charge of him.

From KEVIN:

I want to start by saying that I absolutely love your work, particularly ASTRO CITY. It is the only comic I pick up and read as they are released. When I was younger I scoured the local used book shops and watched eBay for good deals on the trade paperbacks. After graduating college I went to Nara, Japan and taught English for 5 years. In that time I fell in love with the place. So when my contract was drawing to an end I started saving up and now am now preparing to open a rather unique business in that town, an English conversation cafe. The idea being that it will be a place for Japanese people to stop in and practice their English, relax, and enjoy a meal. To go along with that idea I decided to incorporate a large library that patrons could come and borrow books at their leisure, no purchase necessary. I'm sure you know that Japan is a culture in which graphic novels are consumed by all age groups and demographics. I found them a really useful tool in my own study of Japanese. If I didn't understand all the words, I could gain context from the images and get a greater grasp of the material than my reading level alone supplied. I want to give this opportunity to Japanese people in their study of English. More over, I want to share my own culture's graphic novels with them.

Whoops! Sorry I was so long winded in all of that. Now I'll get back to the point. As soon as I decided on having a graphic novel collection, the first title I decided on was ASTRO CITY. Furthermore I decided I'd like to collect the hardcover editions. I managed to collect all the books from FAMILY ALBUM through SHINING STARS (which I just read today!) easily and got a great deal on LIFE IN THE BIG CITY signed in an auction that almost slipped through the cracks on eBay. However, I'm reluctant to put that signed copy into general circulation and forever watch for a listing of the unsigned edition to come up on ebay. From what I've been told on other forums, there is at least a chance that this will happen. However, I have also heard that the only hardcover printing of CONFESSION (which, by the way, is my favorite story arc... wait... what about THE DARK AGE arc... what can I say, I love them all). I was disappointed to learn this. Was there a conscious decision to make the hardcover editions limited edition to reward the early fans or is there any possibility that CONFESSON would ever be re-released in hard cover, outside of the original signed run?

On a non-Astro City note, another of your stories that I've really heard great things about, but haven't had a chance to read is SUPERMAN: SECRET IDENTITY. I was startled to find that the trade paperback now regularly goes for $40 or more! Is there any chance of this book being reprinted too?

Finally I want to thank you for everything you do. Your stories make the world a little bit better place for all those that read them and that is pretty magical. Thanks also for taking the time to read my letter. If you are ever in Nara, Japan look up my cafe (I hope to open it this year) or email me. I'd love to give you a tour of one of the most beautiful cities (well it is rather rural for a city) in the world.

Thanks very much, Kevin.

From MICHAEL:

I'm gradually changing my comic buying habits over to digital on-line purchasing wherever possible. Is ASTRO CITY available in digital form? If not, do you have any plans along those lines? What distribution model would you prefer, same day digital & paper, or delayed digital?

I'm greatly looking forward to the return of the best modern-age comic by a great measure. Hopefully it'll be soon.

As I understand it, Michael, ASTRO CITY isn't currently available digitally, but once it starts coming out again, that'll change, and the whole back catalog will be available, as will new stuff as it comes out.

From KYLE:

I would first like to say thank you for being so easy to contact, since I have been dying to talk to a high-profile mainstream comic-book writer for years, but have had little luck. Most such writers have twitter accounts, but I don't really understand how one is supposed to actually converse with another human being using an instrument that is designed specifically for publishing short pithy statements, and then reading the commennts on those statements. If I wrote "STAN LEE PLEASE GOD CALL ME" in response to one of his tweets, I doubt very much anything would come of it. I tried going to the New York comic con recently, but that was a circus where it became clear very quickly the only way I was going to be able to meet anyone I had ever read was to pay a lot of money (in advance in most instances, so I was already out of luck) and the wait in line for hours for a chance to have something signed before I was shuffled along. Maybe a smaller convention would have been better, but I am a poor college student who doesn't have a lot of time to go chasing people across the country, just making it to New York broke me. My next thought was to just e-mail DC comics, or call them or send them a letter to have it maybe forwarded to someone, but their site does not seem to have any relevant information for contacting their writers, or even their P.R. Department. All of this is just to say that, when it finally occurred to me to google "contact Kurt Busiek" on the internet and it took my right to this page, I was incredibly relieved. So thank you again.

Also, I will just say in a sentence that I think ASTRO CITY is one of the best comic book series ever written.

Now then, to business:

I am a long time fan (relatively speaking) of comic books who for about five years has harbored an ambition for writing comic books. I like to think, in order to provide comfort for myself, that I have a lot in common with a past version of you in that sense. The problem of course, is that it doesn't seem that easy to break into the industry anymore. Allow me to clarify: I like SUPERHERO comics, not independent comics nor web-comics, my sole motivating passion in the universe is to write for Green Lantern or Superman (I like Marvel, but I'm really a DC guy at heart). I have ideas for all the major players, I don't spend a lot of time working on actual scripts because I wouldn't know what to do with them when I was done. Several older and more level-headed people have suggested I find myself an artist (implying they grow on trees, which is not my experience but perhaps I'm not looking in the right places) and try to generate some independent appeal in the hopes of catapulting myself into greater work in the industry. But when I was at the comic-con I saw so many people trying just that without there appearing any hope that the powers-that-be noticed their existence. I am a little shocked, because while I realize that mainstream comic book publishing is a business, which measures its success in profit, it still seems like the people who write these comics must love their work enough to recognize that other people would like the chance too, and to give it to them. But it all just looks very impersonal and daunting.

I realize that you possess no magical power to make my problems go away, that I could not send you a submission and expect it to end up on the desk of a major editor (so I won't insult you by doing anything of the sort) but I was just hoping you could grant me some advice, some solace, some hope that I could make it in this industry, that I am not crazy in wanting to write something that will be read by someone with the power to make it a reality. Perhaps I'm just hoping for too big a break too fast, but damn it! if things don't pan out for me fast I'm looking at spending the rest of my life as a school teacher, which is not a dishonorable profession, but it is one which I have no passion for, and which is the only non-creative job a liberal arts degree prepares me for.

Thank you for any time you spend considering this letter.

Think about it this way, Kyle: If your sole passion was to play for the Yankees, or to play James Bond in a movie, you'd still have to work your way up, right? You'd start out playing Little League, or acting in amateur or school productions, and step by step, do your best to get closer and closer to your goal.

From VITOR:

My name is Vitor. I'm from Brazil, São Paulo. I don't really know why I'm writing this to you, but I'd like to say that SUPERMAN: SECRET IDENTITY is a wonderful work. I read it every year since 2005... and it makes sense to me every time I do it. Well, all I can say is that this is one of the most beautiful things I've ever read...

Very glad to hear it, Vitor. Thanks for the note!

From MICHAEL:

I wanted to say that I think you have done an excellent job on your comics that I have read: ASTRO CITY, MARVELS and SUPERMAN: SECRET IDENTITY. I have referred to you as a genius for how ASTRO CITY feels like it has the continuum of DC and Marvel characters!

I was also wondering something. in ASTRO CITY, you portray Christianity in a positive light, particularly in CONFESSION, with the Confessor and the Crossbreed. Are you a Christian?

My grandparents were all Protestant, Michael, but that's as close to religious as I get. My parents aren't religious, and they allowed their children to pursue their own beliefs as they saw fit. As such, one of my sisters is quite devout, but I'm thoroughly agnostic.

From HERB:

I have a copy of VAMPIRELLA Book 2 (1991), first print copy. Where yourself, La Chance, Nyberg, Cunningham, Howell, Reyes and Kaluta did some outstanding work. My question is, there isn't much info on it. Is it because it was a special edition?

No, it was simply the second issue of the VAMPIRELLA series I did for Harris Comics, reviving the character. It's recently been reprinted (in color) by Dynamite Publishing, as part of VAMPIRELLA MASTERS VOLUME 5: KURT BUSIEK, along with almost all the other Vampi work I've done. [There's one story missing, but that's in volume 4.]

And that wraps up a long e-mail column, aside from one or two other things I'll cover separately. Hope it's not another six months before I blog again!

Brilliant layouts. And a magic brush. And pen, I'd assume.

From "The Riddle of the Glass Bubble," Tales of the Unexpected #18, Oct 1957

DEFENDERS: FROM THE MARVEL VAULT #1 Written by FABIAN NICIEZA & KURT BUSIEK Pencils & Cover by MARK BAGLEY A Marvel Masterpiece from deep inside the treasure vaults can now be told! The original team of Doctor Strange, The Hulk, Silver Surfer and Namor are together again for a hidden adventure! But why was this tale lost? What happens in other dimensions stays in other dimensions, so what unspeakable secrets of the The Defenders are to be revealed? Find out at last in these pages with the illustrious words of Kurt Busiek (THE DEFENDERS, MARVELS) and the incomparable artwork of artist Mark Bagley (ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN)! 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

This may be one of the greatest Defenders stories ever told. Or it may be a total trainwreck. Or, just possibly, both.

Or, you know, somewhere in between, there, but who sells comics with wishy-washy statements like "somewhere in between, there"?

Here's what happened:

Back when Erik Larsen and I were doing Defenders, editor Tom Brevoort had a fill-in prepared, just in case. Mark Bagley had some time in his schedule, so Tom had Fabian Nicieza write up a plot—apparently very quickly, from what Fabian remembers—and then Mark drew it up, and it got put in a drawer. And then it was never used.

Until now.

As part of their whole "From the Marvel Vault" program, they've resurrected this story and finished it up. But there were a few problems along the way.

First off, Fabian couldn't script it, because he's currently under contract at DC.

So they asked me. I like writing the Defenders, I had a blast on that run with Erik, here's a chance to revisit it, and it's Mark Bagley art to boot, so why not? I agreed. Just send me the art and the plot.

Well, they could send me the art. They don't have a copy of the plot.

No problem, I'll just ask Fabian.

No, he doesn't have one either. Lost in a hard-drive crash, years ago.

And to make matters worse, Fabian doesn't even remember what the story was. He remembers that he wrote it—probably got the job on Friday and had a plot in by Monday or Tuesday—but he doesn't have a clue what the details of the story are. Even the art doesn't jog his memory beyond, "Yeah, Mark sure did a nice job, didn't he?"

Mark doesn't remember much more. It was years ago.

So I look over the art, and Mark Bagley did indeed do a very nice job. And he's a good enough storyteller that I can piece together an outline of what the story must be, at least in the basics. But the bits where explanations happen, where the texture and detail go that make it more than just a simple structure?

Haven't a clue.

So I have to come up with a story to fit the art. A new story. One that might bear some resemblance to what Fabian intended, at least at the big structural moments, but other than that, it's wide open.

And as I keep looking through the art, I get an idea. A pretty demented idea, really, based on one cryptic panel late in the book (You'll know it when you see it. The script for that panel is "HTNN--!"). But it's an idea that, demented as it is, won't go away. And actually, I'm thinking, it could be kinda fun...

I tell Fabian the idea, mostly as a joke. But he laughs, and says that it sounds like a hoot, and it might even be better than whatever his original story was.

And I tell Rachel Pinnelas, who's editing it, and she cracks up, and says "Do it, do it."

So I do it.

It's not what Fabian plotted, not by any means. It's very strange. It has a very old, very dumb joke about a hot dog vendor in it. It has the Hulk building sandcastles. A near-pointless cameo by Empress Lilandra. And I had a blast writing it.

I think readers are going to have just as much fun with it. The Lady Dorma scene alone should be worth the price of admission.

[Note: Lady Dorma was not even in the original version.]

So be warned. And order up!

Ain't it purty?

Brilliant design work!

Cracking story and art!

A gallery of sketches by Stuart Immonen, Alan Davis, Paul Ryan and (ulp) me!

More nifty design!

Bitchin' endpapers!

Dogs love it!

SUPERSTAR: AS SEEN ON TV

Kurt Busiek (w) Stuart Immonen (a & c)

Meet Superstar, a hero for the media age: the more popular he is, the more powerful he is. With the public behind him, he can work miracles—without them, he's nothing. Superstar's made a deal with his father, an international media tycoon, to promote him and keep him powerful enough to save the world. But now he walks a fine line between staying famous enough to do the most good, and becoming just another "property" in his father's portfolio.

HC FC $14.99 80 Pages ISBN: 978-1-60010-889-1

Bullet Points:
Contains the complete saga of Superstar, and behind-the-scenes text and art detailing the development of the character with never-before seen art, including character designs from Paul Ryan and Alan Davis.
All the action, suspense and characterization you expect from Kurt Busiek (Astro City) and Stuart Immonen (Fear Itself) plus, an incisive look at superheroes and celebrity in a world where fame literally is power.

In your grocer's freezer—er, on the shelves at finer comics shops—this Wednesday!

Don't miss out!

Checking in on the e-mail...

From VASILIS:

Would love it if at some point you wrote a few things about Conan: Born on the Battlefield...the writing process, the goals you wanted to achieve and how you went about achieving them! For me Born on the Battlefield is like a Terrence Malick film, difference being that unlike Malick nature offers no sanctuary to the characters.

Also I'm loving your Facebook page, thanks!

My pleasure. Anyone who hasn't checked it out can find me on Facebook at The Official Kurt Busiek Page.

From MITCH:

I understand a lot of writers don't like to comment on writer's block, but I know that it is a real problem sometimes. When you have a deadline, and have yet to nail something down, what do you do to get yourself inspired to write?

Who would be some of your dream actors for Astro City the movie?

Since I'm a producer on the Astro City movie, currently in development (knock wood), I'll hold off on revealing my top choices, because I wouldn't want to deal with people saying later, "You wanted Hartley Thrushlocks for that role and had to settle for Craigston Hardwick! Why don't you like Hardwick?" when ol' Craigston is in fact perfectly good for the role.

From [Name Deleted]:

My name is [deleted again] and I am seeking a penciler,colourist/inker and a writer for my own comic book. Could you please send me an email to [deleted] with a quote for the following:

2 page origin story
22 page comic book &
88 page graphic novel like (example movie 300).
[here, a link was given to a YouTube slideshow of what seemed to be the entirety of Frank Miller's 300 graphic novel, which is an interesting form of online piracy I hadn't seen before]

Looking forward to doing business with you.

I'm deleting the identifying info because I'm not posting this in order to hold this person up to criticism, just using this as an opportunity to publicly respond to this kind of query, which I get every now and then.

From BOB:

Are DC and yourself still going to follow up on the end of Trinity? Is there any timeframe if yes?

As I understand it, you've already seen a follow-up, though I'm not entirely sure which one. At one point, the "Earth-One" created at the end of Trinity was going to be the setting of the DCU Online roleplaying game, in which case the follow-up is the DC Universe Online Legends series that Marv Wolfman and Tony Bedard are writing.

From DAN:

I just wanted to say that I first read Astro City when I was 15. I'm 25 now and I've just started to gather all the paperback collections so that I can read them over and over again. I have volumes I-III and I've probably already read them five, six times over (this is considering I've only had them for a month!)

Thanks again for creating the best comic books that have ever existed.

My pleasure, Dan, and it's Brent's, Alex's and the rest of the team's, as well. We're delighted you like it so much.

From ELLIS:

I don't think I've ever written to you before, but I just wanted to stop buy and saying thank you for Thunderbolts. It's my favourite comic ever published, and owes everything to your idea and groundwork. In fact, it was the comic that got me into comics in the first place, which is a hobby I have loved (and still do) for 10+ years.

I know it must be odd, getting a message like this after so long, but it occurred to me I have never expressed to your how much enjoyment and pleasure I have gotten from Thunderbolts. I truly hope it gets made into a film (trilogy) one day. Your work deserves it!

I don't have much to say in response but thanks—it's great getting mail like this, but hard to respond to.

From REO:

On page 188 of the trade paperback of Superman: Secret Identity (this would be in the 4th issue) Clark is contemplating what to do with his two daughters when he notices a Post-It by the phone. I was just wondering what was written on that Post-It or what the significance of that note was.

I know it's been a while since Superman: Secret Identity was finished and released but this has been something that's really been at the back of head for quite some time now.

Still waiting for the possibility of a Shockrockets Vol. 2 and even Superstar. :) Thanks so much.

I didn't remember a Post-It in the story, so I had to go check. No, there's nothing important on that Post-It (or at least, not important to the story; it may well be important to Clark. It's just part of the general clutter of his office. What he's reacting to is the sound of the train derailing, as he notes on the next page. Sorry that was confusing!

Speaking of Secret Identity, here's MATT:

I just finished reading all 4 Superman: Secret Identitys and I just wanted to say it's a piece that really spoke to me. It just made me feel better about my own life. A lot of the things Clark dealt with I could absolutely relate to, I think a few times my thoughts matched his on the page. The books just left me with a very good feeling about life in general, and that for the first time in a long time I'm looking forward to what's down the road for me. I'm ready to live my life and have my own adventure.
Thank you again for your wonderful work.

You keep writing them, I'll keep reading them.

It's a deal. Thanks for the note.

From KEN:

Is Astro City ever gonna come back out?

Yes, it is. We've been working on it steadily, but haven't firmly scheduled its return yet, because (a) there've been a couple of waves of business upheaval that delayed things, and (b) we want to make sure both Astro City and the new book, The Witchlands, will be on a monthly schedule when we do return, something we haven't exactly been great at the last few, uh, forever.

And that's another batch of mail answered!

Here I am again to recommend another book!

I've worked with Neil Vokes a time or three—not nearly often enough, given his energetic storytelling, charming drawing and fantastic character designs—but after an abortive plan for us to work together on Vampirella, we managed to collaborate on Jack Kirby's Teenagents, Jonny Demon, Ninjak and Untold Tales of Spider-Man: Strange Encounter, and we keep making plans to do something else together someday.

Now one of Neil's earliest works is coming back into print: A collection of the first batch of issues of Eagle, a series he did with Jack Herman (writer of a mess of Robotech and other comics) and fellow artist Rich Rankin. Informed equally by Hong Kong action movies and classic American horror films, with a strong dash of superhero storytelling, it's an involving series about a mysterious swordsman on a desperate quest into murky and dangerous territories. And it's a ton of fun.

Here's a description I stole from the Westfield catalog. Sorry, guys!

Eagle Original Adventures Vol. 01 SC

(W) Jack Herman (A) Neil Vokes, Rich Rankin
Out of print for over two decades, one of the original 1980's black and white independent comic book classics returns in a deluxe edition trade paperback! Described as Lone Wolf and Cub meets Blade Runner, the series follows the supernatural laced adventure of a man seeking justice along the edge of a sword. Eagle: The Original Adventures collects the first six issues of the groundbreaking series and includes a preview of the new comic book series in development. Packed with special features including an original cover gallery, concept sketches, and editorial pieces from the creative team and artists that were inspired by the series, this collection is an essential for classic comic book fans.

Anyway, if you're already a Neil Vokes fan, you already know you want this. And if you're not, it's a great place to start. Get your pre-orders in now—it's likely to be hard to find, but it's worth the effort!

Look for this cover in your local comics store in March, because that's when IDW's new Superstar: As Seen on TV hardcover hits the shelves!

Or, if you're in one of those shops that displays books spread-eagled, you'd be looking for this:

And as a Special Added Super-Bonus, click here for an 8-page preview! Are we nice to you, or what?

The new Superstar HC is another gorgeous, gorgeous book from the fine folks at IDW. Like their recent Shockrockets HC, it's designed by the affable and ingenious Bill Tortoloni, with me looking over his shoulder and saying, "No, wait, let's change page 80 again!"

And it's full of pretty much all the Superstar stuff there's ever been. Here's how IDW describes the book:

SUPERSTAR: AS SEEN ON TV

Kurt Busiek (w) Stuart Immonen (a & c)

Meet Superstar, a hero for the media age: the more popular he is, the more powerful he is. With the public behind him, he can work miracles—without them, he's nothing. Superstar's made a deal with his father, an international media tycoon, to promote him and keep him powerful enough to save the world. But now he walks a fine line between staying famous enough to do the most good, and becoming just another "property" in his father's portfolio.

HC FC $14.99 80 Pages ISBN: 978-1-60010-889-1

Bullet Points:
Contains the complete saga of Superstar, and behind-the-scenes text and art detailing the development of the character with never-before seen art, including character designs from Paul Ryan and Alan Davis.
All the action, suspense and characterization you expect from Kurt Busiek (Avengers) and Stuart Immonen (Superman) plus, an incisive look at superheroes and celebrity in a world where fame literally is power.

Special note to online sites, blogs and what-have-you: If you'd like to showcase any of this art (including the preview) on your site, feel free—Stuart, IDW and I would be glad to have you spread the word!

A couple-three more e-mails...

From BRIAN:

I was wondering what your policy on sketches and autographs at conventions was:

1) Do you charge for autographs, if so how much and after how many, and do you have a limit?

2) Do you charge for any type of sketch, and how much and for what do you charge for (e.g. head sketches, mini bust type sketches, full body sketches: what would you charge per different one)?

3) Last one being, would you sketch anything or do you want me to ask you to do something you know pretty well and is it better to ask you ahead of convention time or wait til I get there and ask?
That's all I think that I am wondering, if you could get back to me that would be great cause I would like to know before Emerald City Comicon.

I'm pretty sure I've answered this before—this very e-mail, not just the general questions—but just in case:

1. I don't charge for autographs. I don't have a set limit, either, with the following two caveats: (a) if you have a big stack and there's a line, I may say I'll sign some of them but you'll have to get back in line after that, because I don't want to keep the people behind you waiting, and (b) if you bring an entire longbox full of my stuff I may say hey, let's not be ridiculous. I'm willing to sign a lot of books, but let's not try to have me sign my entire output.

2. I'm a writer, not an artist, so you don't really want to get sketches from me. I occasionally do sketches, but they're very bad, so I don't charge for them. But I'd rather not do them at all and you wouldn't be impressed by the results. Generally I do them for sad-looking children who don't really get the idea that not everyone sitting on the other side of those tables can draw, but I fear I don't make them very happy.

3. Even bad sketches have their limits. I can do a few crappy-looking head shots I have some practice at, but if I try to draw something other than those, it looks even worse.

Here's one of my sketches:

And that's after years of practice, too. You really don't want to pay me to draw.

From DIANE:

Have you checked this out on YouTube? Tim reviews your book Superman: Secret Identity. check it out!

Thanks, Diane. I'm crossing my fingers that the video will embed properly; I've never tried to do this before.

From GEOFFREY:

Big fan of Astro City and was just enjoying your "breaking in" piece, and tried to read the 3-part interview when I got to a broken link for Part 1 (and 2, incidentally).

Probably an easy fix.

As for the breaking-in piece, it interested me because last year I embarked on an experiment in podcasting after a more-than-twenty-year attempt to achieve success in music.

And I think you're right. It's best to concern yourself with doing, with MAKING something, rather than planning or struggling to figure out the WAY IN.

Thanks for the heads-up on the broken links. It was indeed an easy fix, and they should work just fine now.

I'm glad you liked the "Breaking In" piece, Geoffrey. It's gotten a lot of attention over the years, and I can only hope it's been useful.

From my pal Nat Gertler, head honcho at About Comics, home to an eclectic and fascinating selection of comics and other material, comes some pretty terrific news.

Robert Mayer, the author of the brilliant Superfolks, has a new novel out. I haven't read it yet myself, but I'm eager to get to it—everything I've read by Mayer has been terrific, and Superfolks was a revelation, over time changing my outlook on both superheroes and on writing, and making it possible for me to write Marvels, Astro City, Superman: Secret Identity and more.

Here's Nat's press release:

Robert Mayer, the acclaimed author whose Superfolks changed the course of superhero fiction, has just released The Ferret's Tale, a serious, dramatic, psychological novel told from the point of view of a ferret named Cleo.

Ezra Wroth is a man of today, a master of science but facing his own mortality, struggling with an array of uncertainties. His children are adults with more exuberance than wisdom, his own past holds dark secrets, and the world around him has plans for him he cannot imagine. Into his life comes Cleo, a ferret who understands him better than he understands himself... or is what is happening not quite what it seems?

The Ferret's Tale is a story of the human struggle, of love and war, sorrow and joy, death and renewal, faith and doubt. That's probably more than readers expect from a book narrated by a ferret... but then, they probably also don't expect the robots in such a book, nor the Nazis.

Mayer has written for Vanity Fair, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Newsweek, GQ, and more. Best-selling author John Grisham called his The Dreams of Ada “a fascinating book, a wonderful reminder of how good true-crime writing can be.” Mayer lives in New Mexico with his tapestry-weaving wife, La Donna, and their people-loving pit bull.

This novel is the first effort of Combustoica, a new non-comics project of About Comics, a decade-old publishing and packaging firm. About Comics was the publisher who returned Superfolks to print after decades off the shelves (the book is now in print from St. Martin's Press). Further books from Mayer and other authors are in the works from Combustoica.

The Ferret's Tale is available for immediate downloading via the Kindle ($4.99), and the paperback edition ($14.99, ISBN: 978-1456358976) as well as editions for other ebook devices can be ordered through Combustoica.com. The paperback is also available through Amazon and will soon be available through other online bookstores.

###

About Comics is a specialty publishing and packaging company with more than a decade in the field. Founded by writer Nat Gertler, About has published everything from totally blank comic books to books of work by mainstream best-seller Charles Schulz and comic shop favorites like Kurt Busiek and Gail Simone. About Comics packaging services have arranged for original material or for reprint rights for a broad range of clients.

Clicky links for ordering are up there in the press release. I urge you to give The Ferret's Tale a look.

So, I seem to have been neglecting the blog. Sorry about that. Since last I posted, we've done Thanksgiving and Christmas, I've spent a week in L.A. pitching a movie, a week in Florida visiting relatives, written a mess o' comics, read a ton of graphic novels and three quarters of a ton of novels, gotten very productive, gotten sick and unproductive, and now I seem to be getting productive again.

From VICTOR:

I apologize if this question is at all out of line or a sore point and I'm even more sad I missed the opportunity to talk to you last weekend at Mid-Ohio, but I've been wondering if you felt any kind of way about Marvel's use of your story beat from the Confessor arc of Astro City as the general concept for the Secret Invasion event from two summers back? As a fellow writer, I wholly subscribed to a "my ideas are for the world to use and explore," but I know I'm in the minority on that one. Was this something that you were addressed with before or is it possibly another happy-accident of creative synergy?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this and I hope I get to make your acquaintance on the con-circuit come next year!

I'll confess to not having read Secret Invasion, but I expect what you mean is that there were shape-shifting aliens infiltrating humanity, right? If so, the idea wasn't original to me—Skrulls have been disguising themselves as human at Marvel for years, going back to Fantastic Four #2, when they disguised themselves as the Fantastic Four. And of course, the trope goes back to stuff like They Live, The Invaders and Invasion of the Body Snatchers as well.

From MARK:

No question, no inquiry, no request.

Just wanted to say thank you for writing great stories that I really enjoy reading and coming back to again and again.

Reread Astro City Vol 1 again and felt compelled to tell you how much I enjoyed it, again.

Very glad to hear it, sir!

Long time, no write. You probably don't remember, but I named the letters page of your Shockrockets series way back when ("Aftershocks"). Of course, I still follow Astro City faithfully, and have done so since its inception. Recently, I learned of a couple of news items, and would like to get some feedback from you.

First, according to Comic Shop News, WildStorm will cease publishing all of its titles and essentially close shop by the end of this year. Since Astro City has been a WildStorm title for the longest time, I was wondering what this development holds for the publishing future of your fine series. Will it find a home at Image again (where it was originally published), or will it be welcomed into, say, the IDW house (also known for producing high quality material)? Or, will DC establish a line for creator-owned properties (a "Signature" line, essentially) to keep your series under their roof in one way or another? I remember, once upon a time, that DC expressed interest in publishing Astro City when it was still an Image title (well, by that point, a WildStorm/Homage book), but you resisted. They eventually fulfilled their wish when they acquired WildStorm from Jim Lee, and with it the Homage imprint, and thus Astro City by default. I realize that DC's Vertigo label now exists to facilitate only creator-owned ventures, but Astro City seems to differ too greatly in tone and theme than the typical Vertigo title. It just wouldn't fit in with the rest, don't you think?

Second, I was delighted to discover that Dynamite Entertainment will revive numerous Jack Kirby-owned properties and publish them under the title, Kirby: Genesis, which you are writing. Learning this exciting news led me to recall an unfinished "Kirbyverse" series produced by you and Keith Giffen called Victory, the first issue of which was published by Topps more than 15 years ago. As you know, the series was scheduled to run five (or six?) issues but didn't progress beyond the first, unfortunately.

But in just that single showing, Victory had displayed that it was clearly the best Kirbyverse title hitherto published by Topps, its quality easily surpassing that of its related publications. The story in Victory was also building a momentum that appeared very promising for not only the amusement of the readers, but for the Kirby franchise as well. I was utterly disappointed when nothing followed the first issue.

Since you and Dynamite are now investing your energy in Kirby projects, will you and Keith finally get a chance to finish the work you started on Victory so long ago? I hope you can bring closure to this series. The fans deserve it!

Thanks for taking the time to read this message and for addressing my questions. This inquiring mind thirsts for answers!

DC did indeed make an offer to publish Astro City back when we went on hiatus at Image, and they made a very nice offer, too. We didn't "resist" it so much as we wanted to talk to other publishers who'd made offers as well, and in the end, Jim Lee and Wildstorm/Homage simply made an offer that we liked better.

From DAVID:

Is there any likelihood of Astro City Visitor's Guide being reproduced in a compilation anytime? I thought it'd be put in a compilation of one-shots, but that recent solicitation doesn't seem to include it, which I think is a shame, as it'd be a wonderful opener.

Alas, the Shining Stars book would have been just too long with it added. But we'll get it collected sooner or later...

From STEVEN:

A while ago I read Superman: Secret Identity, and I thought it was pretty amazing. It's one of those books that I find myself constantly recommending to people.

Do you know if DC has any plans to reprint it? I'd love to own a copy.

Very glad you liked it, Steven, and I wish it was still in print myself. I'm assuming DC will reissue it when we're ready to bring out Batman: Creature of the Night, its thematic sequel, in order to take advantage of promoting the new series. But I can't say for sure.

From ANTHONY:

As a former Iron Man writer, do you think this concept could be expanded into a full-blown comic?

Or am I being too enthusiastic about it?

I think that's a pretty sweet design, and could make for a very enjoyable "Elsewords" style project. For readers who don't know where it's from, it's the "Iron Man By Design" alternate cover to Punisher #16, of all things, and it's by Dave Taylor. His blog post on the piece can be found here.

From TROY:

Do you want to mention—and/or link to—Panels for Primates, an ongoing charity anthology on ACT-I-VATE)? Creators like Stuart Moore, Rick Geary, and David Petersen are contributing good primate comics for a good primate cause. 38 all-new pages and counting. Updates every Wednesday.

The first story (by Stuart Moore and Rick Geary) is here.

And the most recent story is here.

I've pasted more info below (which I'm obviously not expecting you to post in its entirety):

A weekly charity anthology called Panels for Primates debuted on ACT-I-VATE in October, featuring primate comics by different creators every Wednesday, all to benefit the Primate Rescue Center in Nicholasville, KY. Stuart Moore, Rick Geary, Rahsan Ekedal, and David Petersen are among the top-notch creators already featured, with talent like Mike Carey, Roger Stern, and Carla Speed McNeil in the pipeline for the future.

Readers can view the ever-growing archive of primate stories for free, and are encouraged to swing over to the Primate Rescue Center and donate whatever they can. They should specify that their donations are Panels for Primates donations; otherwise, the talented creators involved won't get credit for the funds raised. If readers use the yellow PayPal button (instead of the Donate Online one), they can donate very small amounts using their credit cards. The anthology will run until at least April, and will contain between 80-100 pages in total.

The mission of the Primate Rescue Center is to alleviate the suffering of primates wherever it occurs by:

• providing sanctuary or referral to appropriate facilities.
• working to end the trade of primates both in the United States and abroad.
• educating the public to the plight of primates caught in the breeder/dealer cycle.
• assisting researchers and zoo personnel in finding appropriate placement for surplus primates.
• encouraging compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and animal welfare statutes.

They currently provide lifetime care for 11 chimpanzees and over 40 monkeys.

In addition to their website, the Primate Rescue Center also has a Facebook page. Panels for Primates is @panels4primates on Twitter.

Thanks,

Troy Wilson
Editor, Panels for Primates

Happy to help spread the word, Troy! Some fun comics there—everyone go take a look!

From DANIEL:

Hi Kurt. My name is Daniel and I'm from Spain so, in first place, sorry for my poor English. It's a pleasure to speak with you, for me you are one of the best in the comics world. I'll see you soon, in Barcelona, so I'm very excited about it.

I'm 22 years old (in 2 days), and I'm studying Law and Economics Science at the same time, but recently I have decided that the only thing that I want to do is writing, I love it. So I've got some ideas in my mind: one sci-fi project, and another fantasy project that is a mix of The Dark Tower, Lost, Riverworld or Cárnivale, among others. In my opinion, both are good ideas (especially the sci-fi story).

My problem is the next: I have read your great guide to create comics a lot of times but, yet, I don't know how to develop and advance these ideas. I don't know how to find new ideas. I don't find new interesting concepts. In two words: I'm blocked.

Could you help me, Kurt? Where do you find inspiration? What are the best places for me to find new ideas? I'm trying to find new ways to stimulate my mind, but it doesn't works. All the ideas that comes to mind are the same repetitive ideas.

Thanks a lot for your attention, Kurt. I suppose you are a very requested person, so I'm not so optimist about your response, but it would be very special for me. Thanks a lot again, Kurt. And good luck, you are a guide for me (Astro City is simply amazing).

Thanks for the kind words, Daniel.

From H. SELDON:

Hi, what's happening with Redhand? It's a great story and lot of people are waiting for the next chapter.

Alas, Redhand seems to be done, H. Or at least, I'm done with it. I'd contracted to do two volumes, and when they were finished, the publisher was interested in doing more, but the artist and I were both busy on other things, and couldn't get the schedules to work out right. So the last I knew, we'd given the publisher our blessing in continuing the series with other people. But that was a couple of years ago at least, and I haven't heard of anything in the works.

From LARRY:

I liked the idea of Windward Station (I originally called in Wayward Home, if you recall - a very different place I'm sure) and who populated it (true fanboy stuff there). Any chance of you writing more about it the next time you are writing more for DC (whenever that is but hopefully sooner rather than later)?

Anything's possible, Larry. But I've got no current plans in that direction, at least. I do want to take a bunch of my unused ideas for Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis and rework them around a new character someday, since I still like the prospect of doing underwater heroic fantasy. And I do still like the idea of an ocean-going Victorian mansion, but I suspect I'd probably have to make up a new one ("Leeward House"? "Winedark Manor"?) and do something with the idea in a very different context.

From R.C.:

I'll be attending the Emerald City Comicon here in Seattle this upcoming March, and I'm excited to see you'll be there as well.

This is my first comicon and I was wondering what your policy is regarding autographs. Do you charge for signatures? If so, how much do you charge? Is there a limit on the number of items you'll sign?
I just searched through my comics collection and found exactly a dozen comics you've written (well, 10 comics, a trade paperback and a hardcover), is that too many?

Thanks in advance for your help.

I don't charge for signatures, R.C., and while I understand why some writers have a limit on the number of things they'll sign, I've never really felt the need, at least not so far. If someone's got a huge stack of stuff to sign, I might sign a portion of them and then ask him to go back to the end of the line, so anyone waiting behind him doesn't have to wait an unreasonable amount of time, but if he's willing to keep coming back, I'm willing to keep signing. I'm there to talk to readers, after all, so I'm happy to sign and chat all day, within reason.

From PATRICK:

Hi there! I'm wondering (based on now-conflicting evidence) if you are no longer planning on visiting the Stumptown Comics Fest in Portland this coming April. At one point you were listed as a guest, but I don't see you mentioning it!

I was scheduled to attend, Patrick, but I had to back out—it turned out there was a conflict, and that weekend I'll be far from the Portland area, attending a comicon in Barcelona with Brent Anderson. But the Stumptown crew were very gracious about it, and since I'm local to Portland, I'll definitely be there next year!

Famous last words, hm?

I had a wonderful time at the Mid-Ohio Comic Con this past weekend, hanging out with friends, chatting with fans, and signing what I conservatively estimate as nine tons of Avengers, Astro City, JLA/Avengers, Superman, Trinity and other such comics. And I'm not sure I've ever signed that many hardcovers in one place. I hadn't been to Mid-Ohio in close to ten years, and I think some of you were saving up...

From KERRY:

I know you are a busy man and get requests like this daily, but your talent is worth the try. I was wondering if you have any writing tips or time to read some of a novel I am working on. I admire your talent and have met you at several comic shows across the USA. Each time you have been more than gracious to sign books and spend time with me.

If you don't have the time I completely understand.

Alas, Kerry, I don't have the time. Plus, even if I did, I don't read unsold fiction for legal reasons. On top of that, I don't much enjoy doing critiques, and don't think I'm terribly good at it, so it's not something I want to spend my time on—and then, of course, there's the fact that I'm just some guy. I can't sell your novel for you, or even introduce you to editors. You're far better off showing your work to people who can actually buy it. If nothing else, when they say, "I liked this bit," or "I think you should change that bit," they're saying it as the representative of a publisher, while I might be telling you to change exactly the bits that an editor might fall in love with and offer you a contract over.

From ERIC:

I want to create the awareness of comic in Ghana and some part of Africa. We can strike a deal on that.

No, sorry, I don't think we can.

From ALBERT:

I just wanted to say that I have been a big fan of yours since I first discovered Astro City #1 back in 1995. To date, you are probably the only writer I look for specifically at the comic book stores. Thank you for all of the great writing. I just picked up your new Dracula series and I can't wait to read it this weekend.

Hope you liked it!

From ELI:

I bought Robert Mayer's Superfolks on your recommendation a few years ago and I just got around to reading it now. Thanks so much. I've already read most of the books that came after it, so reading the inspiration was fascinating. Some of the jokes fell flat, but the story still stands up. I was surprised when I found out how they were sapping Brinkley's powers, didn't see it coming. I also thought the descriptions of his feeling towards Pamela and Peggy were excellent.

Thanks very much.

Very glad to hear you enjoyed it, sir. It's a terrific book.

From NIKKO:

I'm working on a complete Astro City collection for my own personal satisfaction and I was wondering if you could tell me if I'm missing anything. So far I've got every issue, including the 3-D variant of "Welcome to Astro City," the 1/2 issue that came with a Wizard magazine, and the Visitor's Guide. Just recently I picked up the Samaritan and Confessor "action" figures and I have most of the trades (and I know which of those I don't have). Is there anything else? Some special variant I'm not aware of? Some promotional issue or rare figurine/t-shirt/beer koozie? I'd appreciate any help you could give me. Thanks!

Now I'm racking my brains, on a day when my brains don't want to rack very well...

From JOHN:

I have a very serious question to ask you as a longtime comics fan. This is concerning a story you wrote circa 1986: The Legend of Wonder Woman issues 1-4 for DC comics.

My question is: Did you intend this story to be a tribute of sorts to the silver age (Earth-1) Wonder Woman, even though the art by Trina Robbins clearly has it as a Golden Age style, given the events of Crisis 12, where Diana (Earth-1) had been devolved and her history was reversed as well?

The reason i ask this is because I'm trying to support my claim that although the artwork is in the Golden Age style by Robbins, the story itself focused on the recently devolved Earth-1 Diana by the Anti-Monitor in Crisis, and as a result affected the surviving Earth-1 Amazons and Hippolyta her mother, who by the end of the story were turned into stars by Aphrodite, since she wanted to be spared the pain of forgetting she ever had a daughter (since the Earth-2 Diana had already been given her reward of being allowed to live the rest of her life alongside her husband, the Earth-2 Steve Trevor, on Mt. Olympus, by the Greek Gods, as seen in Crisis 12).

I'm not sure how much of that I can straighten out, but:

From JACK:

I am a freshman English major at Kent State in Ohio. First off, I am a big fan of your work, specifically your work on Marvels, and your run on Avengers. I'm sure you get letters like this all the time so I'll try and be brief. I want to be a writer. Specifically, I want to write comic books. I understand the career field for comic writers is highly competitive, but it's something I've always wanted to do. I was wondering if you had any tips/suggestions a budding writer like myself could use. I'm fairly clueless as how to break into the field. Thank you for your time, and your advice.

My best advice is at the links in the response to Kerry, above.

From my old friend LOU MOUGIN:

Kurt: Enjoyed the "Comics as a Mass Medium" article. You brought out some interesting bits there with the need for "lowbrow" or "middlebrow" culture to carry the medium...like Nik Cohn said, the Art Movie may be the upper-crust stuff, but it takes Hollywood to create the myth.

One thing that seems to get ignored in this is the importance of crossovers with entertainment that kids (or even adults) follow faithfully. Sure, the author of Kavalier and Klay is right in that not enough step-on titles for kids are being produced, and not distributed where kids can get them. But one thing he's missing is this: when I was a kid, long before VCRs or DVDs or Blu-Rays were out of the realm of Buck Rogersish stuff, if I wanted to see Huckleberry Hound, I had to wait a whole week for the cartoon to come on again. But if I wanted to read Huckleberry Hound, I could take out a Dell comic featuring him and his supporting cast and read it anytime I liked. Those Dell tie-in titles got a lot of us hooked on comics.

Similarly, if you went to a movie back then, you saw it one time (maybe twice, if you were lucky, addicted, and had enough spending cash). But if it was adapted into a comic, and lots of them were, you could revisit Son of Flubber or Mary Poppins any time you opened up the comic.

This got me hooked on comics, and provided a first step, from which I eventually graduated to DC, then to Marvel. Without them, I wouldn't have become a dyed-in-the-whatever comic book nut.

Don't know if this hasn't been considered, but it should have been.

Makes sense, Lou, though that's another thing we've seen change over time. Nowadays, if you want to see, say, Hannah Montana, and it's not on right now, there are those VCRs and DVDs and such. So spin-off comics have competition they didn't used to, often from the original material.

From LARRY:

Just wondering if and when you'll be returning to the DCU and, if so, what project(s)? I liked Trinity (although I was disappointed that Space Ranger wasn't, in fact, Space Ranger) and most of what you'd done before that in the DCU. And seeing which writers are returning to the DCU now and in the near future, I was hoping to see your name on credits too. Thanks and I hope you are feeling well.

The only DC character I'm currently working on, Larry, is Batman, sort of, in the Batman: Creature of the Night project I'm doing with John Paul Leon. And that's a follow-up to Superman: Secret Identity, and isn't the Batman of the DCU.

From CHRIS:

I'm sure I could have just asked this on a message board, but I figured I would try email first because I'm lazy and it's quicker than setting up a forum account.

I recently read for the first time Gruenwald's Squadron Supreme: Death of a Universe. For years, all I read and knew of that 'team' was the original 12-issue maxi series, and the Avengers issues you wrote featuring them. After finally reading Gruenwald's epic finale, I gained new appreciation for your issues featuring the team, and re-read issues 5-6 and the '98 Annual. And with that new appreciation came some questions (and quite honestly, I'm sure you've been asked these same questions multiple times before).

Now I have still haven't read the Quasar/Squadron Supreme stuff, so my questions may be answered there, but here goes.

1) Why keep 'Arcanna' in the Moonglow identity and costume?

2) Was there an explanation for why Dr Spectrum got his 'color' back, or did you and George just prefer is original look?

3) I noticed for the first time that Len Kaminski co-wrote the '98 Annual, did you originally plan to co-write the New World Order special together as well?

4) Slightly off topic, but I love the Swordsman character, the original and the confusing parallel doppelganger, did you have any plans for him and Magdalene after the Annual?

5) And one last incredibly stupid question to ask a writer, but I haven't read Avengers Infinity in years, and I have no idea where my copies are, but I remember Haywire was in it and he ends up with a new lover.....Who does he end up with?

Sorry to bug you, I just got the urge to ask you these questions as soon as I finished reading.

Thanks for all your incredibly entertaining work, and keep it up.

I'll do my best, Chris.

And finally, from MIKE:

Keep checking dccomics.com to see if a new issue of Astro City has been posted... and keep being bummed. Anytime soon? I miss AC.

Right now, in the wake of all that's happened with DC's reorganization and the closure of Wildstorm, we're just working away at future issues, Mike. When we've got enough in the can, both of Astro City and The Witchlands, we'll launch both books on a monthly basis.

Hopefully, that won't take too long, but in the meantime, just hold tight. We'll be back—and while I can't speak for that no-account scripter, I can tell you that Brent and Alex are doing gorgeous work.